Paint brush rest



y 26, 1953 0. H. NELSON 2,639,835

PAINT BRUSH REST Filed Jan. 6, 1953 Delbert Nelson INVENTOR.

Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAINT BRUSH ans'r- Delbert H. Nelson, Modesto, oanr. Application January 6, 1953, Serial No. 329,710

The present invention relates to a readilyapplicable and removable paint can attachment which serves primarily as a convenient and practical rest for a paint brush when the latter is not in use and, in addition, serves as a scraper for wiping surplus paint from brush bristles.

It is an object of the invention to provide an attachment having the structural characteristics needed to perform the above stated functions and which is characterized by a semi-circular barlike band which is such that it may be fitted telesc pically and frictionally held in the usual channel of the lid supporting ring'of the paint can, the cross-section of the band corresponding substantially to the cross-section of the channel so that the tight fit between. the band and coacting portions virtually eliminates the possibility of paint accumulating in that portion of the channel in which the lower edge portion of the band is seated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a handy and acceptably satisfactory rest on which the brush may be conveniently and readily placed and which is such that it permits surplus paint to drain or drip back into the portion of the can underlying said rest, the over-all rest being of a size approximately one-half the diameter of the can so that an unobstructed space is left to permit the brush to be dipped readily into the paint or to permit the paint to be stirred with a stick or special stirrer as is sometimes used.

More specifically, novelty is predicated on a steelband which is bent to fit different sizes of cans such as one gallon, one quart, one pint, or a half-pint, as the case may be, said band having notches in its upper edge and said notches serving as seats for end portions of spaced parallel rods and said rods being welded in the notches, whereby to provide an economical and suitable construction in which manufacturers, retailers, painters and others will. find their respective requirements and needs aptly met.

Other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a top plan view showing a conventional type paint can with the lid removed, with the improved brush rest in place and with the brush lying thereon in the position it take when not in use;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-90) and elevational view taken on the horizontal line 2--2 of Figurellooking in the direction of thea'rrows andwith the paint brush omitted; Figure 3 is a perspective View of the attachmentby itself; and,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one end portion of the band and the coacting end portions of the rods.

Referring now to the drawings and with special reference to Figure 2, the body of a conventional typepa-int can is denoted by the numeral 6. The lid supporting ring (lid not shown) is denoted by the numeral 8 and this of a well known form. This is to say it has its outer marginal edge flanged and fitted over the can as at H), has an annular ledge 12 inside of the can and an annular channel 14 which, in practice, serves to accommodate the bead on the attachable and de tachable closing lid.

The paint brush, which is conventional, is denoted by the numeral IB and the attachment which serves as a partial rest, let us say for the brush bristles as shown in Figure 1, is denoted by the numeral 18. The attachment is sized so that it is approximately one-half the diameter of the can and so that it does not interfere with the space 20, leaving the same available for dipping the paint brush in the paint (not shown) or stirring the paint with a stirrer. As before stated, the attachment is characterized by a semicircular steel band 22. This is usually resilient and it has a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the channel l4 so that it fits snugly in the channel and not only serves to anchor the band itself but constitutes a sort of a stopper thus preventing paint from running into the channel and therefore keeping the channel clean and clear of surplus or otherwise wasted paint. It is also to be noted that the vertical height of the band is such that it extends well above the open top of the channel. It will be seen, especially in Figure 4, that the upper edge portion 24 is provided at circumferentially spaced points with keeper notches 25 into which the end portions 28 of the Wire or equivalent cross rods 30 are fitted and Welded or otherwise secured in place. All of these rods are coplanar with each other and are in spaced parallelism. When they are secured in place, in the manner shown, they provide an open grille which is an effective rest for the paint brush. The individual wires could. of course, serve as paint scrapers or Wipers although for the most part it is the main wire 32 seen in Figure 1, which serves as the scraper element.

Some of the advantages of the attachment have to do with cleanliness in respect to the can, brush and brush rest and other parts. A certain amount of otherwise wasted paint is also saved. It is highly advantageous to have means on the can which efiectively and flatly supports the brush during the in-between periods of non-use of the brush. At the same time, the rest renders the brush readily available to be picked up and also again when it is to be laid down between jobs, Regardless of Whether one or more of the wires are used for wipers or scrapers, it will be seen that most of the paint which accumulates on the rod will drip back into the can and be saved.

The band plugs the channel in which it is lodged and prevents paint splattering and dripping down or squeezing out and running down the sides of the can, especially when the rest is removed from the can and the lid (not shown) is substituted for the rest.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device Will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope th a p ed aim What is claimed as new is as follows:

1, In CQmbination, a paint can having an open top with its marginal portion circumscribed by an annular lid supporting and retaining member, the latter having the usual circular ledge and .the customary endless bead accommodating channel at the inner peripheral portion of said ledge, a

semi-circular band having its lower edge portion fitting into the channel, and a plurality of supporting wires spanning the open top of the can and having their end portions joined to the upper edge of the band.

2. In combination, a paint can having an open top with its marginal portion circumscribed by an annular lid supporting and retaining member, the latter having the usual circular ledge and the customary endless bead accommodating channel at the inner peripheral portion of said ledge, a semi-circular band having its lower edge portion fitting into the channel, and a plurality of supporting wires spanning the open top of the can and having their end portions joined to the upper edge of the band, all of said wires being coplanar and disposed in relatively close spaced parallelism and combining with each other and said band in defininga grille-like rest for a paint brush.

3. A readily applicable and removable attachment for a paint can comprising a longitudinally bowed band forming a substantially semi-circular frame member, said band being of a cross sectional thickness to fit telescopically and snugly into a, Seating channel therefor provided in a portion of a conventional type paint can, and a plurality of v coplanar rods disposed in space parall m, t e u p r e, of sa ban havin c operating notches andthe adjacent ends of the rods being fitted into said notches and secured e an to provide a vice, w ch i both a brush rest as well as a sc aper for wiping oii surplus paint.

No reierences cited. 

